Southern African Insights Sunday 17th June to Friday 13th July 2018

Transcription

1 Southern African Insights Sunday 17th June to Friday 13th July 2018 A 27-day journey through the compelling and varied landscapes of the southern African countries of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, this tour will leave you with unforgettable memories and valuable insights into the rich cultures and complex history of Southern Africa. Relax in the comfort and safety of this fully escorted and guided tour. Experience the desert grandeur of Namibia by train, the rich diversity and raw history of South Africa and Zimbabwe s culture and history. Get up close and personal with the iconic wildlife of Africa, from the salt pans and deserts of the west, to the incredible lushness of Botswana s delta. Coast to coast, from the dramatic beauty of Cape Town to the exquisite Indian Ocean idyll of Mozambique s Vilankulo region, let Insights Tours introduce you to the best of Southern Africa.

2 Touring Programme Day 1 Sunday 17th June Sydney to Cape Town, South Africa Depart Sydney. Flight to Johannesburg via Perth. Please contact us for details about departing from other locations. Day 2 Monday 18th June Cape Town Early morning arrival in Johannesburg with opportunity to shower, refresh and breakfast courtesy of the included airline lounge access. Domestic flight to Cape Town, arriving late morning. Enjoy lunch at the Three Boutique Hotel in Central Cape Town. This charming manor dating from the 1770s was carefully restored to its original beauty in 2009 by its current owners. Located on Flower Street, the building was also home to a vast garden where its original owner, Dutch commander General Robert J Gordon, cultivated and exported African floral species to Europe and Asia. After lunch we take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the summit. From the top of Table Mountain Hoerikwaggo mountain in the sea in the local Khoikhoi language take in the spectacular views over Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain is recognised by UNESCO as a biodiversity hotspot and part of the highly significant fynbos bioregion. Dinner at our hotel. Three nights accommodation at The Three Boutique Hotel, Cape Town. V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain cable car (South Africa Tourism) Day 3 Tuesday 19th June Cape Town and Robben Island Start the day with a city tour of Cape Town before visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden at the base of Table Mountain. After years of neglect and being overrun by exotic species, the garden was developed to showcase and preserve South Africa s exceptional wealth of plant life. In particular, the garden showcases the distinctive and densely rich fynbos plant kingdom you may recognise at least one of its most famous members, the proteas. We also visit the Slave Lodge, a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of slavery in South Africa, and part of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town which house various historical, archaeological and ethnographic collections. After lunch, a memorable afternoon visiting Robben Island. Robben Island has a long and multilayered history and is also an important natural conservation site, home to seabirds, marine and wildlife. From the 1400s to 1991 it was used as a prison, throughout the periods of Dutch and

3 English colonial rule, and later, infamously, for political opponents of apartheid. Our guides through the Robben Island Museum were political prisoners there, and they relate their own poignant experiences and the remarkable story of Nelson Mandela s 18-year imprisonment there. Returning to the mainland, we wander the Victoria and Alfred Port precinct before dining out in the precinct. Day 4 Wednesday 20th June Simonstown and Stellenbosch Guided day tour by chartered coach to Simonstown and Stellenbosch. A pretty coastal drive down the eastern side of Cape Peninsula to Simonstown, a naval city on the shores of False Bay. From Simonstown we depart on the local electric metro for the short trip to Valsbaai (False Bay) the train runs right by the bay, with stunning views of the coast and seaside townships along the way. Boulders Beach, Simonstown (South Africa Tourism) At Valsbaai, we rejoin the coach for Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum where we take a guided tour and township walk. Uniquely, the museum was was the initiative of residents, who wanted to sustain the memory of the apartheid labour system and its impacts on the lives of black South Africans. Lunch at a local restaurant before departing for the university town of Stellenbosch, to the east of Cape Town. Stellensbosch was established in 1679 and from the 1690s the fertile valleys around it were established as wine producing region. After a tour of the city, we tour the Delaire Graff Estate and taste their highly-regarded wines. Return late afternoon for Cape Town. Dinner at our hotel. Delaire Graff Estate Day 5 Thursday 21st June Cape Town to Walvis Bay, Namibia Morning departure by direct flight to Walvis Bay, Namibia, where we overnight before beginning our Dune Express rail journey. Walvis Bay is a natural harbour on the edge of the desert, and a growing cruising destination. Onshore, it plays host to a striking sight, one of the largest flocks of flamingos in Southern Africa. In contrast to the desert dunes, the waters are home to abundant marine life such as seals, birds and whales. In the afternoon, we tour Walvis Bay and nearby Swakopmund, a seaside town, which is noted for its German colonial architecture, nestled between sea and desert. Accommodation overnight at Flamingo Villa Boutique Hotel, Walvis Bay.

4 Day 6 Friday 22nd June Walvis Bay to Otjiwarongo Today we start our unforgettable 12-day Dune Express Tour aboard the Shongololo Express. Accommodation on board is in Gold Class cabins, stylish and comfortable, with air-conditioning and ensuite bathroom. The tour includes several off-train tours, to provide a comprehensive experience. With Pretoria, South Africa as our ultimate destination, the 3,330 km journey leaves the coast after Swakopmund for the northern interior of Namibia. Accommodation overnight onboard train at Otjiwarongo. Shongololo Dune Train route, Double bed room, Dining car, Lounge car (Shongololo) Day 7 Saturday 23rd June Otjiwarongo to Etosha This morning we transfer to a lodge adjacent to Etosha National Park, where we stay tonight. We have two days to be immersed in the stark and compelling beauty of the salt pans and dusty lunar landscape of Etosha (estosha dusty place in San). Animals and birds in their tens of thousands are drawn to the perennial waterholes surrounding the salt pans, and we visit at the perfect time of year

5 to see a vast array of birdlife and iconic African animals zebra, giraffe, springbok, wildebeest, black rhino, warthog, elephants and lions to name a few, perhaps even cheetah and leopards. Ample and accessible guided game-viewing opportunities both today and tomorrow. Overnight lodge accommodation at Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park wildlife (Namibia Tourism) Day 8 Sunday 24th June Etosha to Kranzberg Enjoy a final game drive and lunch before returning to the train for a mid-afternoon departure travelling through the evocative savannah landscape to Kranzberg, near the circular granite massif of the Erongo mountain range. Accommodation overnight onboard train at Kranzberg. Day 9 Monday 25th June Kranzberg to Mariental Travel to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Situated in the Central Plateau at 1680 m above sea level and surrounded by the Auas and Eros mountains, Windhoek is an attractive city with a complex past. On our afternoon tour of the city, we gain an insight into its fascinating history and role in the colonial past and contemporary independence, visiting the TransNamib Transport Museum, the National Museum at the Alte Feste Fort, Christuskirche Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Namibia Craft Centre in the old Breweries Building. Return to the train for travel to the village of Mariental, on the banks of the Fish River, and between the Kalahari and Namib deserts. Despite the arid climate, Mariental is irrigated by the nearby Hardap Dam and is surrounded by food cropping and game farms. Accommodation overnight onboard train at Mariental. Christuskirche Windhoek (Namibia Tourism)

6 Day 10 Tuesday 26th June Mariental to Sossusvlei From Mariental, transfer to Sossusvlei, surrounded by the dramatic dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park. From our base at Sossusvlei, we explore the Sesriem Canyon, carved out over millions of years by the Tsauchab River and take an afternoon game drive. Overnight lodge accommodation at Sossusvlei. Day 11 Wednesday 27th June Sossusvlei to Keetmanshoop See the sunrise from Dune 45, reputedly one of the most photographed dunes in the world. This is one of the best times of the days to photograph the 170 m high dune on the road between Sossusvlei and Sesriem gate into the Namib-Naukluft Park. The ancient red dunes of the Namib Desert were formed over millions of years from iron-oxide sands and are known as star dunes not because of their superstar photogenic nature, but from the wind-shaped star formations they take. Brunch back at the lodge. Later, we take a scenic drive through the Namib-Naukluft Park. Late afternoon departure by train for Keetmanshoop in the Kalahari Desert. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Keetmanshoop. Sossusvlei dunes, Giants Playground, Quiver Tree Forest. (Namibia Tourism) Day 12 Thursday 28th June Keetmanshoop to Aus Morning tour of Keetmanshoop and surrounds, including Quiver Tree Forest and Giant s Playground. The quiver tree is a large species of aloe, which is only found in the Karoo and the Western Escarpment of Namibia, and was used by the San people to make quivers for hunting. The

7 Giant s Playground is a maze of volcanic rock formations that look just like some enormous hands have been playing with blocks! Train departs at midday for Aus, with lunch served onboard. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Aus. Day 13 Friday 29th June Aus to Holoog A full day touring Komanskop ghost town, a boom and bust story of diamond mining, now being reclaimed by the sands of the Namib Desert, and the coastal town of Lüderitz. Lüderitz is a quirky time capsule of German art nouveau architecture and vibrantly painted houses, clinging to the barren cliffs beside the Atlantic. Amazingly, on the Lüderitz peninsula you ll see flamingo chicks and penguin colonies, seals and ostriches. On the way, on the Garub plain between Aus and Komanskop you may spot Namib Desert Horses, shy, hardy feral horses which have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert. Evening departure by train for Holoog. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Holoog. Lüderitz and Komanskop (Namibia Tourism) Day 14 Saturday 30th June Holoog to Nakop, South Africa A highlight today is a morning visit to the magnificent Fish River Canyon, the largest in the southern hemisphere. Formed by the Fish River, the canyon s size is impressive: 160km long, up to 27km wide, and reaching a depth of 550m. Back on the train, enjoy lunch as we head for the border towns of Ariamsvlei, Namibia and Nakop, South Africa. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Nakop, South Africa. Fish River Canyon. (Rudi Bosbouer CC BY-SA 3.0)

8 Day 15 Sunday 1st July Nakop to Modderrivier Arrive this morning in Upington, on the banks of the Orange River and the edge of the Green Kalahari. We have a tour of the town and tastings at the Belazel Brandy & Wine Estate, which is one of several wine producers in the region. Lunch onboard the train as we travel to Modderrivier, at the confluence of the Riet and Modder Rivers in the Northern Cape region. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Modderrivier. Day 16 Monday 2nd July Modderrivier to Potchefstroom Travel to Kimberley, which like its Australian counterpart is a major diamond producing region, where we visit the Big Hole Diamond Museum, reputedly the largest hand-dug open pit mine in the world and testament to the intensity of the diamond-rush that established the city. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the William Humphreys Art Gallery and the McGregor House Museum. Midafternoon departure for Potchefstroom, a university city in the North West Province and a distinct change of scenery. Overnight accommodation onboard train at Potchefstroom. Day 17 Tuesday 3rd July Potchefstroom to Johannesburg Late morning arrival at Rovos Station, Pretoria, where the Dune Express journey comes to an end. A short city tour of the South African capital, Pretoria on the way to our hotel, with the afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel. Two nights accommodation at Melrose Place Guest Luxury Lodge, Johannesburg. Day 18 Wednesday 4th July Soweto, Pretoria and Johannesburg A memorable and moving day today, on a specially arranged city tour. See the former home of Nelson and Winnie Mandela and lunch at a typical restaurant in Soweto. Later, visit central Johannesburg and the expansive and impressive Apartheid Museum, established in 2001, which tells the story of the apartheid system and its eventual demise, through interactive exhibits, film, images and artefacts. Dinner at the hotel. Day 19 Thursday 5th July Johannesburg to Okavango Delta, Botswana Depart Johannesburg for Maun, Botswana, where we transfer to a chartered aircraft for our flight to Xakanaxa in the incredible Okavango Delta. After a day s travel, relax in the beautiful and unique setting of Camp Xakanaxa. Camp Xakanaxa is located on the Khwai River in the Moremi Game Xakanaxa Lodge and Wildlife. (John Tuckerman)

9 Reserve and is a classic (and luxurious) tented camp. Each tent includes an ensuite and a private deck with views out over the lagoons and islands of Moremi and the wildlife! All meals are included at the camp dining room. Two nights accommodation at Xakanaxa Lodge, Botswana. Day 20 Friday 6th July Okavango Delta The Okavango Delta is renowned for its varied habitat of riverine forest, open savannah, river channels and seasonal floodplains which allow for exceptional opportunities for bird and game viewing. Today we enjoy the wealth of knowledge of the local guides who will take us on land and over water through this significant wilderness. Will you spot a hippo? Day 21 Saturday 7th July Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe After breakfasting, we take a chartered aircraft direct to Kasane, close to the Four Corners, where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. Private coach transfer to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Check-in and light lunch at the luxurious Victoria Falls Hotel before a guided visit to the falls and helicopter flight. A four-course dinner in the Livingstone Room at the hotel. Accommodation overnight at Victoria Falls Hotel. Victoria Falls (John Tuckerman) Day 22 Sunday 8th July Victoria Falls to Bulawayo After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Victoria Falls by chartered coach for Hwange National Park, where we stop for lunch. Hwange National Park was once the royal hunting grounds of 19th century Ndebele warrior King Mzilikazi and today boasts one of the largest elephant population in the world. Continue on to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe s second largest city founded in the 1840s by Ndebele king, Lobengula Khumalo. Dinner at our hotel, the Mpala Boutique Hotel. Two nights accommodation at Mpala Boutique Hotel, Bulawayo Day 23 Monday 9th July Great Zimbabwe Full day tour to Great Zimbabwe National Monument by chartered Cessna Caravan aircraft. Morning flight to Masvingo and coach transfer to Great Zimbabwe. Great Zimbabwe was founded Lilac breasted roller, Hwange NP, Zimbabwe (John Tuckerman) Great Zimbabwe (John Tuckerman)

10 in 1100 by the lost civilisation of the Shona, and was an important trading centre, with artefacts from China and Persia. According to legend, Great Zimbabwe was the capital of the Queen of Sheba. A private guided tour of this extensive site will reveal some of the fascinating history of this UNESCO-listed site. Lunch at the nearby Great Zimbabwe Hotel before returning to Bulawayo. Day 24 Tuesday 10th July Bulawayo to Vilankulo Today we fly from Bulawayo via Johannesburg to Vilankulo, Mozambique. Vilankulo is on an idyllic stretch of palm-fringed beaches and clean, sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, and is the perfect, relaxing conclusion to our time in Southern Africa. A free afternoon, with dinner at our wellappointed resort hotel, right on the beach. Two nights accommodation at Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel, Vilankulo. Day 25 Wednesday 11th July Vilankulo Vilankulo is the gateway to the captivating Bazaruto Archipelago off the mainland, a cluster of sandy islands and underwater paradise rich with marine life and coral. Enjoy a cruise in a chartered Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel and Vilanculos (John Tuckerman) traditional dhow sailing boat to beautiful Ilha Magaruge, where you can swim in the sheltered bays, explore the underwater world or simply relax in paradise! A cooked lunch is prepared on the beach in the traditional manner. Returning in the afternoon, another slow-paced day, with dinner at the hotel. Day 26 Thursday 12th July Vilankulo to Sydney Morning visit of the Vilankulo village, concluding at the airport where we depart for Johannesburg and our return flight to Sydney. We have approximately six hours in Johannesburg before our flight to Sydney, access to the airline lounge is again included for your comfort and convenience. Overnight on flight. Day 27 Friday 13th July Sydney Arrive Perth and connect to Sydney-bound flight, arriving Sydney at Connections from Perth are available to many other cities, so please contact us for details.

11 General Information & Booking Conditions Cost The cost of this tour is A$26,450 per person on a twin share basis. Tour cost includes: Economy class flights ex Sydney to Johannesburg and return. Contact us to upgrade to business class or depart from a city other than Sydney All other scheduled airline flights as per itinerary are economy class Chartered aircraft flights on Days 19, 21 and 23 by single-engine turbo prop aircraft Accommodation for 15 nights on a twin share basis in either first-class hotels or lodges Accommodation for 9 nights aboard the Shongololo Express in Gold class, air-conditioned, ensuite cabins on a twin share basis All road transport by air-conditioned coach, except safaris which are conducted in open 4WD vehicles All sightseeing excursions, guided touring and entrance fees to all places as specified in the itinerary All meals All taxes, tips and gratuities Services of an Insights Tours escort throughout the tour Drinking water at lunch and dinner daily Insights Tours re-usable metal water bottle Fee for Mozambique visa Fee for Zimbabwe visa Additional Costs The additional costs are: drinks, travel insurance and items of a personal nature and anything not specified above. Single Accommodation As always we negotiate the best possible tariff for our single guests and we pass on only the direct additional costs. The published single supplement is A$5,285 for single occupancy of a room at all hotel and lodges and for single occupancy of a cabin on the Shongololo Express. Booking To secure your place on the tour, please complete the attached booking form and return it to Insights Tours with your deposit. Deposit is A$3,000 per person, payable at time of booking. An instalment of A$7,000 per person is due no later than Monday 9th October This amount is required by local operators to secure bookings, including for several unique and limited capacity activities. The remaining balance is due no later than Friday 30th March Payment may be made by cheque or direct deposit. Cancellation policy Due to the stringent impositions placed on us by the various providers, the following terms and conditions apply: No refund of deposit for cancellations on or before Monday 9th October No refund of deposit and instalment for cancellations after Monday 9th October No refund of total paid for cancellations after Friday 30th March Viability of tour This tour is for a maximum of 16 guests. In the event that the economic minimum number of guests is not reached, the tour will be cancelled by Insights Tours no later than Tuesday 10th October 2017 and we will refund in full any money paid. In the event of the Australian dollar falling below our nominated exchange rate threshold before the due date of the final balance, we will write to you and advise of any required supplement. Changes to Itinerary There is always the chance that our itinerary could be delayed or curtailed in some way beyond our control. Except for prolonged or unexpected events, the tour will be conducted as closely as possible to the itinerary stated above. Every reasonable endeavour will be made to conduct the advertised itinerary however we reserve the right to alter the itinerary in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Insurance Insights Tours accepts your booking only on the proviso that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It must cover cancellation fees, costs incurred due to delays, medical assistance, repatriation and lost luggage. We are

12 an accredited agent of Aussie Travel Cover insurance and can assist with arranging your insurance. Health & Medical We recommend that to fully enjoy this tour you should be comfortable walking up to 2kms over well trodden bush/forest tracks. Most of the walking will be in national parks, World Heritage Sites and reserves and be accompanied by expert local guides. Be aware that the regions we visit have limited infrastructure and services. Medical facilities may not exist at the same standard as in Australia. We strongly recommend that you consult your dentist and a travel medicine practitioner to arrange inoculations, vaccinations and precautions at least 6 weeks prior to departure. Visas Australian passport holders do not require a visa for entry into South Africa, Namibia or Botswana. A visa is required for entry into Zimbabwe and will be obtained at the entry border crossing. The cost is included in the tariff. A visa is required for Mozambique and will be obtained upon arrival at Vilankulo Airport. The cost is included in the tariff. Passports must be valid until at least 13th January If you will be travelling on a non-australian passport, please confer with us when you book. Luggage Luggage is limited to one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person. Porterage will be provided wherever practicable throughout the tour. However, at major airports you will need to manoeuvre your own luggage. Strict weight limits apply: Maximum checked luggage weight is 20 kg per person. Maximum hand luggage weight is 7 kg per person. On Days 19 and 21, due to very limited baggage space available on the charter flights, the following strict limits apply: Luggage must not exceed 25x30x62cm Luggage with any type of frame in its construction will not be accepted. It must be soft sided. Since these restrictions mean that suitcases cannot be taken on these flights, Insights Tours has arranged for our suitcases to be transferred direct to Kasane on Day 19 and held in secure storage with the airline until our arrival on Day 21. For Days 19 and 20, we recommend that you bring a small soft bag which meets the restrictions above. Money Currency South Africa Rand. Namibia Namibian Dollar Botswana Pula Zimbabwe United States Dollar. Mozambique Meticas. Shongololo Express Train The Shongololo Express is operated by a private South African-owned company, Rovos Rail. The train has several itineraries throughout the year and we have especially selected the Dunes Express journey for our tour. The train consists of heritage sleeping berth cars, which have been remodelled and well-maintained. The 7 sqm cabins are air-conditioned and contain an ensuite with shower, toilet and washbasin. Beds are not retractable but there are ample sitting areas in the two lounge cars. Cabins have excellent storage, with a cupboard and drawers and space to stow your suitcase. There are two lounge cars and two dining cars on the train, all of which are air-conditioned, and the train also features a balcony at the rear of the train. Except where specified in the itinerary, all meals are served on the train. Most days will entail off-train touring for large parts of the day and travelling during part of the night. The train often is stationary for several hours during the night. Guides Insights Tours has engaged English-speaking, expert, licensed guides for all guided touring throughout the itinerary. Tour Escort As with all Insights Tours itineraries, this tour is fully escorted. Your tour escort is there to ensure that all of the pesky administrative and operational aspects of the tour are fulfilled and that the tour runs as smoothly as possible. Cover Images: Cape Town (South African Tourism), Elephants in Etosha National Park, Victoria Falls, Dune 45, Lüderitz (Namibia Tourism)

13 About Insights Tours Insights Tours is a tour company operated by Paul and John Tuckerman. We arrange tours which utilise chartered trains, coaches and aeroplanes and provide passengers with spacious and ample accommodation. Our philosophy is to provide a tour with a spectrum of interesting visits, inspections and conveyances. Each tour is uniquely arranged to encompass the most interesting sights of the regions visited. Insights Tours engages our own guides to ensure that our passengers have the best insight into the location being visited. Passenger numbers are limited to ensure a commodious travelling experience and to ensure that visits and guided tours are of maximum benefit. Each of our tours is personally escorted ensuring you can relax in the confidence that all of the pesky administrative details and arrangements are taken care of. This tour will be escorted by John Tuckerman. If you would like details or assistance with any booking, please contact Paul: Telephone: (61) Facsimile: (61) paul@insightstours.com.au Postal: PO Box 180 Thirroul NSW 2515 In person: 14 Allenby Parade, Bulli (please make an appointment to ensure our office is attended when you visit)

14 Southern African Insights Booking Form Sunday 17th June to Friday 13th July 2018 Name (exactly as on passport) Address Guest 1 Guest 2 Telephone Passport Details Passport # Date of Birth Expiry Date Nationality Emergency Contact Person & Telephone Any special requirements or requests (especially dietary) Room type (please circle) Twin (2 beds) Double (1 large bed) Single supplement (additional $5,285 ) Deposit Cheque enclosed - Please make cheques payable to Insights Tours - or - Electronic transfer/direct deposit Account Name: Insights Tours Client Travel Account BSB: Account Number: I/we acknowledge the terms and conditions of booking Signature/s Guest 1 Guest 2 Please return to: Insights Tours PO Box 180 THIRROUL NSW 2515 Facsimile: